Contents

Mission

The AOA's mission is to advance the philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine by promoting excellence in education, research, and the delivery of quality, cost-effective healthcare. The AOA supports the annual "D.O. Day on Capitol Hill," where more than 1,000 osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) and osteopathic medical students go to Washington, D.C. to meet with congressmen to discuss current issues in health care, such as access to care challenges.[10] The event serves as an opportunity for the legislators to learn more about health care and osteopathic medicine, and for the medical students to become more familiar with the political process.

In September 1901, the AOA began to publish a scientific journal entitled the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. Subscriptions were offered to AOA members, and at the time, membership fees were $5 annually.[14] The journal was published bimonthly for the first year, then monthly thereafter. In April 1927, the AOA began publishing The Forum of Osteopathy, a monthly magazine that covered news relating to osteopathic medicine, the AOA, and related groups.[14] In September 1960, the magazine was renamed The DO.

In the early 1900s, the AOA, citing concerns about safety and efficacy, was opposed to the introduction of pharmacology into the curriculum of osteopathic medicine. However, in 1929 the AOA board of trustees voted to allow the teaching of pharmacology in D.O. schools.[15] By 1938, the AOA began requiring that osteopathic medical students have at least 1 year of undergraduate college coursework, and by 1940, the AOA required two years.[15]

In 1957, the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare recognized the AOA as the official accrediting body for osteopathic medical education. In 1967, the National Commission on Accrediting (currently the Council for Higher Education Accreditation) recognized the AOA as the official accrediting agency for all aspects of osteopathic medical education.[16] The Department of Health, Education and Welfare (currently the Department of Health and Human Services) recognized the AOA as the official accrediting body for osteopathic hospitals under Medicare in 1966.[12]

Osteopathic post-graduate education

The AOA also provides funding for post-graduate osteopathic medical residencies.[17] In the 2012 match, 1,767 osteopathic physicians matched into these residency programs.[17] In 1999, the AOA began requiring all schools of osteopathic medicine to be actively involved in residency training programs through Osteopathic Post-Graduate Training Institutes.[18][19] In February, 2014, the AOA and AACOM decided to join with ACGME to form a unified post-graduate accreditation system.

From July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2020, AOA-accredited training programs will transition to ACGME recognition and accreditation.

There will continue to be osteopathic-focused training programs under the ACGME accreditation system. Two osteopathic review committees will be developed to evaluate and set standards for the osteopathic aspects of training programs seeking osteopathic recognition.

DOs and MDs would have access to all training programs. There will be prerequisite competencies and a recommended program of training for MD graduates who apply for entry into osteopathic-focused programs.

AOA and AACOM will become ACGME member organizations, and each will have representation on ACGME’s board of directors.

DOCARE International

DOCARE International is a non-profit medical charity serving remote areas of the Western Hemisphere. DOCARE is operated by the American Osteopathic Association, and consists of osteopathic physicians, osteopathic medical students, M.D. physicians, and other healthcare professionals.[22]

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